Restore Asus Transformer TF101 original firmware
413 words, 2 minutes
I have installed a custom firmware on my Asus Transformer TF101 to be able to use my 3G HSDPA USB adapter . It is running Android 3.2.1. Now that the Ice Cream Sandwich firmware (4.0) is released fot the TF101, it’s time to go back to the original, AKA stock, firmware and run the upgrade the “supported” way.
According to the forums, there are two ways of doing it. Either restore the bootloader and the firmware using the ClockworkMod or use a Windows/Linux workstation to erase and replace the whole system with the official system. I choose the second option as I didn’t understand how to run the first… and the second option is quite similar to the one I used when I rooted to tab.
First of all, log-on to a Linux|Windows system. I used a Windows 7 x64 instance running in VMware Fusion. The only thing to take care of is that VMware links the tab to the VM and not to the Mac.
Connect the Asus TF101 to the workstation at least one time to ensure everything goes right. Then turn the pad off and disconnect the USB cable.
Have a look at the first source thread and download the firmware you want to restore. I used “WW Windows” from the “NFVlash of the 3.2 Build of 8.6.5.13” section. Unzip the archive content ; I did it on the desktop.
Connect the USB cable and press the “Volume+” and “Power” buttons for about 5
seconds. The screen remains black but you should notice Windows connecting to
the hardware. On linux, I guess you’d get a couple of lines in
/var/log/messages.
Open the directory that was created during the archive extract and start the “download.bat” script by double-clicking it. You can have a look at what it does while it’s processing. I didn’t understand much of what it did… All I was looking for was (no) error message :)
After a few minutes, the TF101 will reboot and you’ll be presented with the default wizard.
You’re supposed to wipe out your data but I didn’t do it. Anyway, I’m gonna upgrade to ICS and wipe the data from there anyway…
And that’s all. After a bit less that 10 minutes, the Asus Transformer TF101 was back in its original state. Ready to be upgraded OTA.
Hope it helps!
Links:
- Asus Transformer NVFlash Stock 3.1 & Stock 3.2 Recovery Roms (Unbricking Tools)
- How To Unroot and Remove CWM Recovery on Asus Transformer